Best off-road cars in India, 2023

Hatchbacks and sedans are ideal for good roads, but you cannot expect them to offer a comfortable drive when it comes to bad or off-roads. That’s when the off-road cars come into the picture. Generally, the off-road vehicle segment is dominated by SUVs (Sports Utility Vehicles) due to their high ground clearance and bigger wheels. If you are an off-roading enthusiast and looking to buy a vehicle capable of handling rough terrains, we bring you the list of the best off-road cars in India.

List of top off-road cars in India, 2023

Here’s the list of top off-road cars in India based on performance, price, engine/gearbox options and mileage.

In the following sections, let’s take a detailed look at the best off-road cars available in India.

Note: The vehicles are not ranked as per the numbering.

1. Renault Duster

Price: Rs. 9.86 lakhs to Rs. 14.25 lakhs

Key specifications

Highlights of Renault Duster

• Renault Duster is an SUV that packs a punch for its compact size.

• The exterior design offers a butch look with faux skid plates, body cladding and chunky roof rails.

• The interior is simple yet practical and gets all the necessary features such as automatic climate control, cooled glove compartment, etc.

• The talking point of Duster is the powerful petrol engines on offer. They produce enough power and torque that suits off-road driving.

• The high ground clearance also helps to tackle rough terrains.

2. Mahindra Bolero

Price: Rs. 8.71 lakhs to Rs. 9.70 lakhs

Key specifications

Highlights of Mahindra Bolero

• Mahindra Bolero is a rugged SUV with a classic boxy design.

• The exterior design is simple but practical.

• The interior design is simple, but it’s spacious enough to accommodate seven people.

• The SUV also gets basic safety features such as ABS, driver airbag, a reverse parking sensor, etc.

• The minimalist design and high ground clearance of the Bolero are ideal for off-roading.

• The diesel engine produces enough power and torque to handle bad roads.

3. Mahindra Scorpio

Price: Rs. 12.77 lakhs to Rs. 17.61 lakhs

Key specifications

Highlights of Mahindra Scorpio

• Mahindra Scorpio is a mid-size SUV available with a 5/7-seater configuration.

• The SUV features a modern exterior design with a chrome-surrounded front grille, alloy wheels and projector headlamps.

• The design elements such as a bonnet scoop, skid plates and roof rails render a rugged look to the SUV.

• The vehicle's interior features faux leather upholstery, a touchscreen infotainment system and many other creature comfort features.

• The Scorpio's heart is a powerful diesel engine that offers the optimum performance required to tackle rough terrains.

• The SUV comes with dual front airbags, ABS, high-speed alert and many more safety features.

4. Mahindra Thar

Price: Rs. 12.78 lakhs to Rs. 15.08 lakhs

Key specifications

Highlights of Mahindra Thar

• Mahindra Thar is an SUV designed for off-roading.

• The classic boxy exterior design reflects the off-roading capabilities of the Thar.

• The interior of the new Thar is modern and comes with a waterproof touchscreen infotainment system, AC vents, cruise control, etc.

• The party trick of the Thar is its drivetrain with a 4x4 system.

• The new Thar is available with manual and automatic gearbox choices.

• The Thar comes loaded with safety equipment such as dual airbags, ABS, EBD, brake assist, ESP, ISOFIX child safety mounts, etc.

5. Force Gurkha

Price: Rs. 13.59 lakhs

Key specifications

Highlights of Force Gurkha

• Force Gurkha is an off-road SUV designed for roads or no roads.

• It features a boxy exterior design with body cladding. It is a rugged vehicle with an entire metal body.

• The Gurkha gets impressive hardware for off-roads, such as a 4x4 system with high and low levels and an air intake snorkel. 

• The Gurkha is the only vehicle in its segment to get mechanically actuated differential locks on both axles.

• The interior is spacious for four passengers, and the dashboard simple yet practical to use.

• Despite being a serious off-roader, the SUV gets features such as a touchscreen infotainment system, power windows, etc.

• The safety features include dual front airbags, a rear parking sensor, TPMS, cornering lamp, etc.

6. Isuzu D-Max V-Cross

Price: Rs. 21.06 lakhs to Rs. 25.59 lakhs

Key specifications

Highlights of Isuzu D-Max V-Cross

• The Isuzu V-Cross is a unique vehicle with a pickup truck design.

• It gets a bold front end and a cargo bay behind the passenger cabin.

• The interior is modern and gets all the necessary features, including leather seat upholstery, MID for the instrument cluster, power-adjustable driver seat, etc.

• It also gets a 4x4 system with a shift-on-the-fly function.

• The D-Max V-Cross is available with a powerful diesel engine with manual and automatic gearbox choices.

• The vehicle's safety features include six airbags, a rear camera, rear parking sensors, ESC, TCS, ABS, EBD, etc.

• The D-Max V-Cross is an excellent utilitarian vehicle with off-roading capabilities.

7. Jeep Compass

Price: Rs. 17.29 lakhs to Rs. 28.84 lakhs

Key specifications

Highlights of Jeep Compass

• Jeep Compass is a mid-size SUV with excellent off-roading capabilities.

• The exterior of the SUV features signature Jeep design elements such as a seven-slat front grille, sleek headlamps, etc.

• The interior is luxurious with features such as a touchscreen infotainment system, a panoramic sunroof, ventilated seats, dual-zone automatic AC, a wireless charger, etc.

• The SUV features serious off-roading hardware in the form of a 4x4 system.

•  The safety features of the Compass include six airbags, an electronic parking brake, TPMS, ESC, a 360-degree camera, etc.

• The Compass is available with powerful petrol and diesel engine options.

8. Tata Safari

Price: Rs. 14.99 lakhs to Rs. 23.19 lakhs

Key specifications

Highlights of Tata Safari

• Tata Safari is a full-size SUV that is based on the Harrier SUV.

• It features the new Impact Design language with a bold chrome front grille, projector headlamps, etc.

• The SUV features a spacious interior with bells and whistles such as a panoramic sunroof, power-adjustable driver seat, luxurious third-row seats, third-row AC vents, ambient lighting, automatic AC, etc.

• The SUV is available with a powerful diesel engine with driving modes.

• The Safari is an excellent option in the 7-seater SUV segment as it can handle rough terrains very well.

9. Mahindra XUV700

Price: Rs. 12.49 lakhs to Rs. 22.99 lakhs

Key specifications

Highlights of Mahindra XUV700

• The Mahindra XUV700 is a full-size SUV that replaces the popular XUV500 model.

• The exterior features a brand-new design language with an imposing front grille, LED DRLs, LED headlamps, diamond-cut alloy wheels, etc.

• The interior is equally impressive in terms of space and equipment.

• The prominent features of the SUV include an intelligent cockpit with a dual-HD superscreen for the infotainment and instrument cluster, sky roof, and much more.

• The XUV700 gets powerful petrol and diesel engine options with a choice of a manual or automatic gearbox.

• The high ground clearance and large body proportions make the XUV700 suitable for off-roads.

10. Toyota Fortuner

Price: Rs. 30.73 lakhs to Rs. 38.18 lakhs

Key specifications

Highlights of Toyota Fortuner

• Toyota Fortuner is a popular premium full-size SUV in India.

• The SUV features a butch exterior design with stylish LED DRLs, alloy wheels, etc.

• With the large body proportions, the SUV features a spacious interior.

• It gets all the bells and whistles, such as a premium JBL audio system, paddle shifters, ventilated front seats, cruise control, etc.

• The Fortuner gets off-road hardware in the form of a high and low range 4-wheel-drive system, lockable differential, etc.

• The SUV comes with seven airbags, hill-assist control, traction control, VSC, brake assist, etc.

• The powerful petrol and diesel engines make off-roading a walk in the park.

11. Ford Endeavour

Price: Rs. 33.81 lakhs to Rs. 36.26 lakhs

Key specifications

Highlights of Ford Endeavour

• Ford Endeavour is a butch SUV with excellent off-roading capabilities.

• The exterior design is dominated by a chrome grille at the front and large alloy wheels.

• The interior is loaded with features such as a panoramic sunroof, a touchscreen infotainment system, rear AC vents, power-adjustable front seats, ambient lighting, etc.

• The safety features include dual front, curtain and side airbags, a driver knee airbag, ABS, EBD, a rear camera, TPMS, disc brakes on all four wheels, etc.

•  The Endeavour is available with a powerful diesel engine and 4x4 system that comes in handy during off-roading.

12. Jeep Wrangler

Price: Rs. 53.90 lakhs to Rs. 57.90 lakhs

Key specifications

Highlights of Jeep Wrangler

• Jeep Wrangler is an iconic off-roader SUV that comes with hardware suited for rugged terrains.

• The exterior design features the signature Jeep design elements, including a 7-slat grille, etc.

• The interior is equally impressive and gets equipment such as a touchscreen infotainment system, ambient lighting, etc.

• The safety features include dual front airbags, ESC, hill-start assist, TPMS, a rear camera, etc.

• The off-road hardware consists of a four-wheel-drive system, lockable front and rear differentials, etc.

• The SUV comes with a powerful diesel engine mated to an automatic transmission.

Note: All prices are ex-showroom Delhi, and the fuel efficiency figures are as of ARAI (Automotive Research Association of India) rating.

List of best off-road cars between Rs. 10 - 20 lakhs in India

Here’s the list of off-road vehicles available between the price bracket of Rs. 10 - 20 lakhs.

• Renault Duster

• Mahindra Scorpio

• Mahindra Thar

• Force Gurkha

• Tata Safari

• Jeep Compass

• Mahindra XUV700

Best off-road SUVs in India

Here are some of the best off-road SUVs in India.

• Jeep Wrangler

• Mahindra Thar

• Toyota Fortuner

• Ford Endeavour

• Jeep Compass

• Force Gurkha

New upcoming off-road cars in India

Below are some of the upcoming off-road cars in India.

• 2022 Skoda Kodiaq

• Maruti Jimny

• 2022 Mahindra Scorpio

• Nissan X-Trail

• Jeep 7-seater SUV

• 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe

• 2022 Hyundai Tucson

Frequently asked questions

Here are some of the most common questions and their answers related to off-road vehicles in India.

Which are the best 4x4 vehicles in India?

Some of the best 4x4 vehicles suitable for off-roading are Mahindra Thar, Isuzu D-Max V-Cross, Toyota Fortuner, Jeep Compass, Jeep Wrangler, Force Gurkha and Ford Endeavour.

Why are only SUVs suited for off-road driving?

SUVs come with very high ground clearance, and the large body proportions can accommodate complex four-wheel-drive systems. The high seating position also helps in better visibility. Hence, SUVs are best-suited for off-road driving.

Which are some of the affordable off-road cars in India?

Renault Duster, Mahindra Bolero, Mahindra Scorpio, Mahindra Thar and Force Gurkha are affordable off-road vehicles available in India.

Disclaimer: The above content is for informational purposes only. It is recommended to take the help of an expert before making a decision. ACKO Drive is not responsible for any action taken based on the information mentioned here.

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